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Old 02-16-2013, 01:16 PM   #1
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Knots and Bends

Brothers--and Sisters--Curious to know which knots and bends you consider essential to your boating knowledge. I've told students over the years there are four basic knots/bends which I consider essential that they master for good seamanship. If you had to limit your suggestions to four, which would they be?
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Old 02-16-2013, 01:31 PM   #2
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Bowline, 2 half hitches, clove hitch and properly making fast to a cleat.
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Old 02-16-2013, 02:47 PM   #3
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Just like in rock climbing; clove hitch, figure 8, prusik, and a double fisherman's knot.
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Old 02-16-2013, 03:20 PM   #4
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Bowline, 2 half hitches, clove hitch and properly making fast to a cleat.
Have to agree with those to be the first learned. Cleat hitch first then clove hitch. 2 half hitches over a clove hitch will secure it for the long haul. Learning to make a bowline is essential. Then others that are used less often.
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Old 02-16-2013, 03:43 PM   #5
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Bowline, 2 half hitches, clove hitch and properly making fast to a cleat.
+1

I also use a sheet bend. It's useful for tying two lines with different diameters together.
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Old 02-16-2013, 04:32 PM   #6
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Bowline, 2 half hitches, clove hitch and properly making fast to a cleat.
+1 Now if I can only remember how to tie a bowline!
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Old 02-16-2013, 04:42 PM   #7
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Take a look:

Animated Knots by Grog | How to Tie Knots | Fishing, Boating, Climbing, Scouting, Search and Rescue, Household, Decorative, Rope Care,
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Old 02-16-2013, 04:45 PM   #8
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Bowline and making fast to a cleat.

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Old 02-16-2013, 05:10 PM   #9
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Tying your shoes properly (sometimes called a reef knot) has to be on the list. You don't want to trip and go over the side.
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Old 02-16-2013, 05:32 PM   #10
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Tying your shoes properly (sometimes called a reef knot) has to be on the list. You don't want to trip and go over the side.
The first knot I ever learned was a double slip-knot. Tying shoes was my second most important life skill, after being able to climb into bed.
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Old 02-16-2013, 06:54 PM   #11
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...if you can't tie a knot...tie a lot.
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Old 02-16-2013, 07:00 PM   #12
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The problem tying a bowline is remembering whether it is a snake or a rabbit which goes down the hole and round the tree. Total disaster for the rabbit if you combine the two.
The bowline is a vital knot. A doubled half hitch after a round turn is also very useful, if somewhat maligned by cordage purists.
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Old 02-16-2013, 07:07 PM   #13
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The problem tying a bowline is remembering whether it is a snake or a rabbit which goes down the hole and round the tree. Total disaster for the rabbit if you combine the two.
The bowline is a vital knot. A doubled half hitch after a round turn is also very useful, if somewhat maligned by cordage purists.
More than a few climbers, even expert ones, have cratered after improperly tied bowlines to their harnesses gave out. A figure 8 is stronger, is slam-dunk recognizable no matter how fatigued you are, easily unties after holding a load, but eats up more rope.
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Old 02-16-2013, 07:11 PM   #14
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More than a few climbers, even expert ones, have cratered after improperly tied bowlines to their harnesses gave out. A figure 8 is stronger, is slam-dunk recognizable no matter how fatigued you are, easily unties after holding a load, but eats up more rope.
But were are talking boats...not rockclimbing and a figure 8 and a bowline on a boat are 2 different animals.
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Old 02-16-2013, 07:17 PM   #15
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But were are talking boats...not rockclimbing and a figure 8 and a bowline on a boat are 2 different animals.
Isn't the end result still a fixed loop at the end of a rope (line), be it on shore or on a boat?
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Old 02-16-2013, 07:32 PM   #16
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Not counting 'making fast a cleat', my most commonly used are clove hitch, bowline, sheet bend and eye splice. Sine I no longer sail much, I have less of a need for the reef knot.
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Old 02-16-2013, 08:02 PM   #17
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The problem tying a bowline is remembering whether it is a snake or a rabbit which goes down the hole and round the tree. Total disaster for the rabbit if you combine the two.
This is the fastest and easiest way I know to tie a bowline. Takes 3 seconds. Learned it from my father-in-law. My apologies to all for the questionable quality.
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Old 02-16-2013, 08:58 PM   #18
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More than a few climbers, even expert ones, have cratered after improperly tied bowlines to their harnesses gave out. A figure 8 is stronger, is slam-dunk recognizable no matter how fatigued you are, easily unties after holding a load, but eats up more rope.
I thought a figure 8 was the "stopper knot" to prevent the end of the sheets for a headsail or spinnaker pulling through the sheet block and getting away from the crew. A useful simple knot, easily tied, which I guess could have multiple uses, or maybe there are 2 knots so named.
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Old 02-16-2013, 10:01 PM   #19
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Words are so slippery...Here's a link to the figure 8 knot, and a couple variations, that I was talking about;

Rock Climbing Knots: Figure Eight
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Old 02-17-2013, 04:33 AM   #20
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I thought a figure 8 was the "stopper knot" to prevent the end of the sheets for a headsail or spinnaker pulling through the sheet block and getting away from the crew. A useful simple knot, easily tied, which I guess could have multiple uses, or maybe there are 2 knots so named.
In nautical applications it is.
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